Jail Inmate Charged With Murder Of Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — A 28-year-old Wayne County Jail inmate has been accused by prosecutors of killing Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Bryant Searcy.

Deandre Williams, of Detroit, was arraigned Wednesday morning on one count of first-degree premeditated murder, murder of a police officer, felony murder, unarmed robbery and escaping jail through violence.

“It has been almost a week since the horrific murder of Corporal Bryant Searcy and it is still very raw," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Wednesday. "Much has been said lately about the dangers that law enforcement officials face every day. This is no exaggeration. This case is a tragic example of this reality."

Related: Wayne County Deputy's Death To Be Investigated By Detroit PD

Williams is scheduled to appear in court again Sept. 23 for a probable cause hearing.

Prosecutors said Williams was an inmate in the jail after being charged with carjacking when he attacked Searcy around 10 p.m. Sept. 2. Searcy was inspecting jail cells for nighttime lockup when he was attacked and killed after a "violent struggle," prosecutors said.

Other deputies arrived to the scene of the assault and found Searcy unresponsive, prosecutors said. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said additional details in the case will be released during Williams' preliminary examination, which is scheduled for Sept. 30.

The Detroit Police Department's Homicide Unit is heading the investigation into Searcy's death.

Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon underscored the dangers of the Wayne County Jail during a news conference the day of Searcy's death.

"The jail is a dangerous place," Napoleon said. "I tell people all the time that we have some of the most dangerous criminals in America in the Wayne County Jail. The officers understand the environment that they're working in."